| Krypto | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Adventure Comics #210 (March 1955) |
| Created by | |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Kryptoniandog |
| Place of origin | Krypton |
| Team affiliations | Team Superman Space Canine Patrol Agents Legion of Super-Pets Justice League Titans |
| Supporting character of | Superman (Kal-El) Superboy (Kon-El) Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) Jon Kent Ace the Bat-Hound Streaky the Supercat |
| Notable aliases | Supercat Skip (pre-Crisis) Air Dale (pre-Crisis) Pal Krypto the Superdog |
| Abilities | See list
|
Krypto, also known asKrypto the Superdog, is asuperherodog appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics, commonly in association with the characterSuperman. In most continuities, Krypto is Superman's pet dog, usually depicted as a white dog of a generic pedigree.
Krypto has appeared in numerous television series and films, such as the animated seriesKrypto the Superdog; the television seriesSmallville, the live-actionHBO Max seriesTitans, the animated filmDC League of Super-Pets (2022) voiced byDwayne Johnson, and thefourth season and series finale ofSuperman & Lois. The character made his live-action cinematic debut in the filmSuperman (2025), an installment of theDC Universe (DCU) media franchise.
Krypto's first appearance was in aSuperboy adventure story inAdventure Comics #210 (March 1955), and was created by writerOtto Binder and artistsCurt Swan &Sy Barry.[1] Originally intended as a one-off character, the dog attracted positive attention from the audience, and returned four issues later and became a regular member of Superboy's cast.[2]
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OnKrypton,parallel evolution leads to the emergence of analogous species to Earthbirds,felids,canids, andsimians. They are domestic companion animals as they are on Earth. As explained in his first appearance, Krypto is originally the young dog and household pet of toddlerKal-El while they are on Krypton.
Jor-El, testing prototypes for the rocket that will eventually send Kal-El to Earth, decides to use Krypto as a test subject, with the dog launched in extended cryogenic sleep.[3] However, Krypto's rocket is knocked off-course by meteors and drifts through space for approximately ten Earth years until it eventually lands on Earth, where Krypto is reunited with the by-then teenaged superhero, Superboy.[4] Due to the environment (Earth's yellow sun and lower gravity), Krypto possesses the same powers and abilities as his master, although his physical abilities are proportionate to his smaller size and species. Certain sensory abilities of Krypto's (senses of smell and hearing) are more acute than those of Superman, just as an ordinary dog's senses are more acute than those of an ordinary human. Krypto also has human-level intelligence, with his thoughts being represented via speech balloons. Although he has normal canine instincts he is able to make decisions rationally and suppress his instincts to achieve Kal-El's objectives, such as preserving his secret identity. Upon being reunited with Kal-El, the reawakened Krypto understands due to his sense of scent that the now-teenager is in fact Krypto's own companion from Krypton now grown to adolescence.
Krypto is drawn as a medium-sized, short-haired white dog of generic pedigree. The early appearances of the character in the comics feature exaggerated anthropomorphic facial expressions; these are replaced in later appearances by a more generic canine face. When fighting crime, Krypto usually wears a gold collar, a miniature facsimile of theSuperman's symbol for a dog tag, and a dog-sized version of Superman's cape. Whenever he is on Earth and wants to appear as an "ordinary" dog, Krypto pulls his collar and cape off, pulling it back on when necessary. In one story, he is gifted with a collar which contains a retractable cape that can be unfurled or hidden by pressing a stud.
When not accompanying Superboy/Superman, Krypto spends much of his time romping through space;[5] while on Earth, however, he stays with the Kent family, posing as their pet dog, "Skip".[6] In that identity, his guardians apply a brown dye patch on his back for a disguise which Krypto burns off with his heat vision when he goes into costume; later, the Kents devise a pullcord-activated dye applicator and other methods which Krypto can use to switch to "Skip" and back without assistance.[7]
Krypto is part of two organizations of super-animals: the 30th centuryLegion of Super-Pets, and theSpace Canine Patrol Agents.[8][9] After the 1971 revamp of Superman by editorJulius Schwartz, Krypto does not appear for several years.[10] The character returns suffering fromamnesia in a 1974 two-partGreen Arrow backup story inAction Comics #440[11] and #441.[12] His memory is restored in 1975'sSuperman #287.[13] Asked in a 2006 interview why he "liberated Krypto from the limbo kennel", writerElliot S. Maggin said, "A man needs a dog. A superman needs a superdog."[14]
Krypto had his own feature inThe Superman Family #182 (March–April 1977) to #192 (November–December 1978), written by Bob Toomey.[15]
InAlan Moore's send-off topre-Crisis Superman,Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow?, Krypto saves Superman by biting the throat out of theKryptonite Man. Krypto is irradiated in the process and dies with the villain.
InSuperboy #126 (Jan. 1966) "Krypto's Family Tree", Krypto's father's name is given as Zypto, his grandfather as Nypto, and his great-grandfather as Vypto.
Following theCrisis on Infinite Earths continuity reboot, Superman's history is extensively rewritten, initially eliminating Krypto and all other survivors of Krypton. TheTime Trapper creates a pocket universe that replicates pre-Crisis continuity and has a version of Krypto.[16] While battling threePhantom Zone criminals, Krypto sacrifices his powers by giving Superboy goldkryptonite to depower them.
The second modern Krypto is a small white pet dog, rescued, and later named byBibbo Bibbowski. Originally, Bibbo wanted to name the dog "Krypton" after Superman's home planet. However, the engraver of the dog tag intentionally drops the letter "n" to extort more money from Bibbo; an angry Bibbo refuses to comply and renames the dog "Krypto." Soon after, the dog finds two young children who were trapped in a bomb shelter for a month following Superman's fight withDoomsday. The children are badly malnourished and dehydrated, but it is learned that they survive and recover. This gives Superman the idea to explain Clark Kent's long absence by staging a faked rescue from a similar predicament.
Krypto is later acquired by the modern Superboy; however, this version of Krypto is an ordinary Earth dog with no superpowers. The dog and Kon-El do not get along. For a time, Krypto's friends are agentRex Leech,Dubbilex, and reporter Tana Moon. Krypto becomes involved in many of Superboy's adventures. The dog is eventually dropped from the series, remaining in Hawaii when Superboy returns to Project Cadmus. Superboy's friends believe him to be missing and Krypto is left in the care of Hillary, a young neighbor that he likes.[17] AfterSuperboy #69 of that series, the dog goes to live at Cadmus. Along with a creature called Grokk the Living Gargoyle and a DNAlien named Angry Charlie, Krypto starts an uprising against the Agenda, an evil consortium which is influencing Cadmus at the time. After battling the DNAlien the Gene-gnome, Krypto is never seen again; his last appearance is inSuperboy #74.[18]
The third and more familiar version of Krypto is introduced in the early 2000s Superman comics storylineReturn to Krypton, as a dog from a false, idealized Krypton created as a trap by Brainiac 13. Superman is able to defeat the trap, and when he returns to Earth, Krypto follows him.[19]
This new version of Krypto has all the physical abilities of his pre-Crisis predecessor, but with a normal canine intellect and instincts. This initially causes a great deal of trouble for his new master when, for instance, he would scratch at a door to indicate he wanted to go out and unintentionally gouged big chunks out of the door with his super strength, or inflicting grievous bodily harm when combating villains (since Krypto bites the way a regular canine would, only without being careful about his super strength). As a result, Krypto is for some time locked away in theFortress of Solitude under the care of one of Superman'srobots. This robot is programmed to emit the scent of the dog's real master. Superman has gone to great lengths to train the dog, and he now occasionally accompanies the Man of Steel on missions.Batman never misses an opportunity to poke fun at Krypto when Batman and Superman don't see eye-to-eye.
Krypto operates on his own for a short period of time, helping out when disasters rocked the planet because of the plans of the invadingImperiex. He is shown rescuing endangered people.[20]
In the "Hush" story arc, Batman uses Krypto to findPoison Ivy after she uses kryptonite to control Superman. It also appears that Krypto has taken a great liking toCatwoman, to her displeasure.
Krypto is part of the rescue force put together late in theSuperman/Batman storyline "Public Enemies" (#1-6). Thinking Batman and Superman needed to be rescued from PresidentLex Luthor, a small team of superheroes, which includes such heroes as Superboy,Nightwing, and Robin, invade the White House. Krypto destroys part of the upper floors while subduing some Secret Service agents.
Krypto has a surprisingly violent reaction toKara Zor-El when he first encounters her. The dog happens upon the girl while she was exploring theFortress of Solitude and attacks, going so far as to use his heat vision and other potentially lethal attacks. Batman, who distrusted Kara at that time, pointed this out as an argument that Kara might not be who she says she is when he remarks "Doesn't it bother you at all that the dog hates her?" Superman's response was "It's his job to protect the fortress while he's here. Besides...the dog hates everybody."
Some time later, Superman left Krypto in the care ofSuperboy, saying thatSmallville's open spaces were a better place for the dog, and that Superboy could use a friend (as shown inTeen Titans vol. 3, #7). Their relationship had a shaky start, not helped by Krypto getting Superboy in trouble withStarfire for destroying her garden.
However, they have slowly developed a close friendship, in which Krypto willingly does anything he can to protect Conner. One example of this loyalty was Krypto's quick defense of Conner from an enragedSuperboy-Prime. He bit Superboy-Prime in the shoulder. Although Krypto was injured with a punch sending him bouncing down the main street of Smallville, this only strengthened his relationship with Conner. Superboy is killed in battle while destroying amultiverse influence tower that Superboy-Prime helped build.
Krypto makes a brief appearance inJLA #87, whereMartian Manhunter mind-controls him after his evil Fernus persona resurfaces.[21]
Later, he is mentally influenced by an alien armada led byDespero. This is seen inSuperman/Batman #32 (March 2007). Along with other Earth-based heroes influenced by alien origins, Krypto attacks Superman and Batman after a gathering inMetropolis. The two titular heroes neutralize the alien threat, freeing the minds of everyone affected.
Action Comics #850 presents the latest revision of Superman's origin, containing many subtleretcons toSuperman: Birthright, the latest major revision of Superman's continuity. The current version indicates that Krypto was indeed the El family dog from the real Krypton (as in the Silver Age), showing an identical white dog present at Kal-El's birth. AlthoughAction #850 does not deal with the specifics of how or when this dog was sent to Earth, subsequent issues of theSuperman title have contained references to Krypto being around when he was "young". Both inclusions retconned the origin of the current Krypto hailing from an ersatz Krypton and debuting during Superman's adulthood.
Some time later, a back-up feature inAction Comics Annual #11, written byGeoff Johns, finally clarified the details of the "New Earth" origin of Krypto: "The Kryptonian canine of the House of El, Krypto was sent in a small prototype rocket created by Jor-El. Lost for years, Krypto was eventually found and rescued by Clark when he was a boy."[22] This retcon brings the modern Krypto almost identically in line with the original Silver Age version.
Krypto goes missing for over a year following the death of his previous owner Conner Kent, but Superman is unable to devote much time to search for him, having himself been without powers for much of that time.[23] Krypto responds to the call fromJimmy Olsen's makeshift signal watch and makes his return. Krypto is quick to defend Jimmy who, along with Superman, falls under attack and is badly injured as a result. Jimmy takes Krypto back to his apartment, and nurses the injured dog back to health. Superman later decides to let Krypto stay with Jimmy when he realizes that Krypto has always preferred the company of younger people, such as himself as a child and Kon-El. Jimmy gives Krypto the secret identity of "Pal", a play onSuperman's Pal Jimmy Olsen.[24]
During theGreen Lantern storylineSinestro Corps War,Robin enlists Krypto's aid in battling Superboy-Prime, who has returned to Earth as part of theSinestro Corps. Under Robin's command, Krypto attacks Prime with feral rage, damaging his armor, but is unfortunately beaten aside, although he buys the heroes enough time for Superman,Power Girl, and Supergirl to join the fight.
During Superman's battle with the villainAtlas, and after Atlas incapacitates such heroes asSteel and Bibbo Bibbowski, Atlas laments that he has not faced a worthy opponent. Just then, Krypto emerges vowing to "hurt this one" because he "loves man" (Superman). Krypto proves to be more than a match for Atlas, revealing Atlas' magical nature to Superman. This is the first and only story to show exactly what Krypto 'thinks', and although it is translated for readers, Krypto 'speaks' in a simplistic manner with broken English, rarely using pronouns. This story also focuses on how Superman has taught Krypto to be much calmer and well-behaved; Superman reassuresLois that Krypto loves her as well.[25][26][27] Following the death ofJonathan Kent andBrainiac's attack on the family farm, Krypto arrives on the front step of the Kent Farm, to protect Martha Kent and provide companionship. A clone of Krypto made by Cadmus made an appearance inPower Girl.[28]
Geoff Johns detailed Krypto's role inAdventure Comics.[29] The character appears alongside the resurrectedConner Kent as his companion and sidekick, with a much more amicable relationship than before Connor's death.
Krypto is instrumental in helping Conner Kent escape the effects of aBlack Lantern power ring.[30] He later participates in the final battle against the Black Lantern Corps.[31] The canine is again seen living calmly on the Kent farm, sitting next to Martha.[32]
In September 2011,The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. In this new timeline, Krypto appears as a normal dog with no powers on Krypton. There is mention of a white dog ghost that is protecting Clark Kent. InAction Comics #5 (March 2012), during Krypton's final moments, Jor-El tries to save his family by opening a portal to the Phantom Zone, when suddenly the incarcerated try to escape.[33] Krypto bravely defends the family but is sucked into the Zone, while baby Kal-El shows anguish at losing the dog.
The now-grown Superman rediscovers Krypto inAction Comics #13 (December 2012) after being pulled into the Phantom Zone by the first inhabitant of the prison. At the story's conclusion, Superman is able to bring Krypto back to Earth. With Krypto in critical condition, Superman rushes to the observation deck, exposing Krypto to the sun's radiation. Krypto is then healed at an accelerated rate and is comforted by him. The rapid healing reveals that the dog has developed superpowers just as Kal-El, Kon-El and Kara Zor-El have.[34]
InSuperboy #24, Krypto is shown battling polar bears in the Arctic before deciding to join Superboy andDoctor Psycho in battlingH.I.V.E. Superboy is knocked out byPsycho-Pirate, with Krypto by his side.
Later, the threat ofWarworld looms high above the Earth. Batman and Superman are blackmailed into recruiting members of their 'clan' and Krypto shows up. He is shown whining after the mention of Superboy, who is suspected of being dead. Krypto assists Superman and Supergirl in fighting various groups of Warworld challengers, as a delaying tactic to save Earth from destruction. Thanks to the secretive efforts of Steel and Batgirl, no innocents are hurt.[35]
Superman becomes sick and voluntarily imprisons himself. Batman recruits Krypto on a mission to the Phantom Zone in an attempt to find a cure; instead they find something extremely dangerous.[36]
InDC Rebirth, Superman's previous history prior toThe New 52 is restored. Krypto is seen in theDC Rebirth continuity, as the family dog of Superman, Lois and their son Jon.[37] His collar is made out of the belt of an old Superman uniform from theFortress of Solitude, as a present from Jon.[38]
Krypto is later seen as a loyal companion to Supergirl.[39]
TheSuper-Sons annual of 2017 explores Krypto's friendship with various super-animals, such as Titus, Batcow,Streaky, andDetective Chimp.[40]
In his original pre-Crisis incarnation, Krypto possessed the same powers and abilities as an adult Kryptonian, although his physical abilities were proportionate to his smaller size and species. Certain sensory abilities of Krypto's (senses of smell and hearing) were more acute than those of Superman, just as an ordinary dog's senses would be more acute than those of a normal human. He also had human-level intelligence; the comics expressed this via the use ofthought balloons indicating what Krypto was thinking.
In his current incarnation, Krypto's abilities are essentially identical; however, he possesses normal canine intelligence, though as shown in the storyline with Atlas, Krypto does seem to have a general understanding of speech, and can take initiatives of his own, such as vowing to protect Metropolis from Atlas because of his knowledge of the fact that Superman himself protects and cares for the city, as well as vowing to hurt Atlas for hurting Superman.
Superboy was reunited with his dog in 'The Super-Dog from Krypton' by writer Otto Binder and artist Curt Swan.
| Superboy | |
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| Supporting characters | |
| Enemies | |
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| In other media | |
